Entertainment

Aditya Pancholi, Raza Murad express grief on Junior Mehmood’s demise

Published

3 years ago

December 8, 2023

Staff Reporter

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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 8 (ANI): Veteran actors Aditya Pancholi and Raza Murad expressed their grief and paid their last respects to veteran actor Junior Mehmood in Mumbai on Friday.

Junior Mehmood, who was battling with stage four cancer. He was 67. The actor breathed his last in the early hours of Friday.

Junior Mehmood’s family friend confirmed the news and said, “He passed away last night at 2 am in Mumbai. He was suffering from stomach cancer and was not keeping well for the last few days. His last rites will be performed in Santacruz burial ground after today’s afternoon prayers.”Talking to ANI, Aditya Pancholi said, “Very sad, he was a very kind person and he helped many people. I will remember him throughout my life and pray to God that his soul rests in peace and his family gets strength. He was like my brother, when we did not have a car, he used to take us around during the struggling days.”Raza Murad shared, “In 110 years of Indian films’s history, there is no such superstar child artist like him has come till date in the industry. Whether it was Rajesh Khanna’s ‘Haathi Mere Saathi’, ‘Aan Milo Sajna’, superstars also needed Junior Mehmood. He is the only child artist in history, who had his own audience, who was superstar in his own. His name used to create rhythm in the film. Distributors also wanted him. He was paired with Sheikh Mukhtar Saab. They were like master and apprentice.”The actor added, “It was Junior Mehmood, who took me out of India. After he took me to Dubai, then to Bangkok. He never use to make films without me. Whether it was a video film or Marathi film, without me he never use to do shows. He was a very humble person. He was firm and true to his commitment. Such child artist has neither come till date nor will come in future.”Avtar Gill, who also came to pay the last tribute to Junior Mehmood, told ANI, “Few days ago Johnny Lever told me about his health condition. You will be surprised to know that he was senior to me in the film industry. When he used to work in the films, I was in school. In college, I use to watch his movies. After that we kept on meeting and many times talked about working in the films. He was a loving person, whenever I met him, he greeted me well. The whole world knew Junior Mehmood as an actor but not as a person.”He continued, “Three-fours days ago, I also did a video call with him. He was able to recognize but was not talking.So, I told I told I will come to meet you in one or two days. Then, suddenly got the news that he is no more. I didn’t knew that he will leave us so early. I pray to god that his soul rest in peace. He was a good man. The work he has done, everyone and the whole world knows it. We have seen him working with superstars like Shammi Kapoor, Jeetendra, among others, there was no such star with whom he didn’t worked with. He was one of the them who is called a born actor, be it a song, dance or scene, he always did a tremendous job. I think the world will remember for the work he did.”Veteran actor Junior Mehmood, known for his roles in films like ‘Kati Patang’ and ‘Aan Milo Sajna’ among others, is currently battling with stage four cancer.

Jr Mehmood’s close friend Salam Kazi earlier told ANI, “He was ill for 2 months and initially we thought that he might have some minor problem but after that suddenly his weight started decreasing. And when the medical reports came, it said there was cancer in the liver and lungs and a tumour in the intestine and he has also developed jaundice. So the treatment going on, but the doctors said it’s a stage four cancer.”Jr Mehmood worked in over 200 films in different languages.

He is best known for movies like ‘Brahmachari’ (1968), ‘Mera Naam Joker’ (1970), ‘Parvarish’ (1977), and ‘Do Aur Do Paanch’ (1980). (ANI)

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Staff Reporter

Entertainment

Emirates Dubai 7s 2026: Tickets on sale as festival returns with bigger family zone

Published

3 weeks ago

August 31, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Emirates Dubai 7s is returning to The Sevens Stadium from November 27 to 29, with tickets now on sale for the three-day sports and entertainment festival.

The 2026 edition will bring together international rugby, amateur sports, live music and family entertainment, with organisers promising a bigger programme than previous years.

The festival attracted more than 88,000 visitors in 2025 and will again take place during the final weekend of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.

Ticket prices

Ticket prices for General Admission and Hospitality have stayed the same for a third consecutive year.

Three-day General Admission tickets cost Dh595 per person, while the three-day Family Pass is Dh1,136 for two adults and two children.

Other ticket options

Group pass: Dh446 per person for four or more adults
Saturday or Sunday: Dh455
Friday: Dh75
Under 15s: Free
People of Determination + carer: Dh375

Tickets can be purchased through the Emirates Dubai 7s website and app.

Bigger family attractions

Family entertainment will get a major boost this year as the UAE celebrates the Year of the Family.

The festival will feature its biggest-ever Kids’ Zone, including the UAE’s largest inflatable kids’ zone, along with a Ferris wheel and zipline. More attractions are expected to be announced ahead of the event.

Six sports and top rugby action

Alongside elite rugby, visitors can watch or take part in competitions across six sports — rugby, netball, cricket, WODON3 fitness, Rebound padel and Gaelic Football.

Gaelic Football will join the festival for the first time in 2026.

The Sevens Stadium will also host the opening round of the HSBC SVNS Series 2027, bringing the world’s leading rugby sevens players to Dubai.

The WODON3 Elite final will take place on Pitch 1 between HSBC SVNS matches, with competitors potentially performing in front of crowds of up to 20,000.

Music all weekend

Live entertainment will run throughout the festival, with local and international artists performing across three days.

Last year’s line-up included Tinie Tempah, Sean Paul and Fisher, while the 2026 headline acts will be announced later.

For a premium experience, The Sunroom returns with all-inclusive food and drinks, shaded seating, prime sporting views and dedicated access. Packages start from Dh1,925 per person.

With sport, music and family attractions packed into one weekend, Emirates Dubai 7s is gearing up for another big Dubai event.

Entertainment

Dubai launches ‘Dubai+’ family streaming platform to boost digital media and creative economy

Published

8 months ago

January 29, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, has approved the launch of Dubai+, a new family-oriented digital media platform, reinforcing Dubai’s ambition to become a global hub for digital media and the creative economy.

The approval came as Sheikh Ahmed chaired the Dubai Media Council’s first meeting of 2026 at Dubai Media, where members reviewed sector strategies and plans to strengthen content creation, innovation and local production capabilities.

What is Dubai+?

Dubai+ will offer a wide range of family-friendly content, bringing together:

Local and Emirati productions
Arab series and films
International entertainment

The platform reflects Dubai Media’s integrated digital ecosystem strategy, responding to shifting viewer habits and the growing demand for high-quality, on-demand digital content.

“We believe media is a strategic force that shapes awareness, supports development and builds trust,” Sheikh Ahmed said.

Boosting Local Film and Content Production

The Council also reviewed plans to:

Enhance local production capabilities
Support cinema as a cultural and creative industry
Invest in programmes that drive creative and economic growth

Samr Al Marzooqi, Director of Films and Production at the Dubai Media Council, outlined upcoming initiatives aimed at showcasing Emirati and international talent while strengthening Dubai’s film sector.

Next Phase of Growth

Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, said the next phase will focus on monitoring implementation and ensuring measurable outcomes across the sector.

Secretary General Nehal Badri added that priorities include encouraging private sector participation, accelerating content development, and investing in talent, advanced production technologies and future-ready capabilities.

Announcements

DP World ILT20 Crowns ‘Habibi & Habibti’ as mascot winners

Published

11 months ago

November 2, 2025

Staff Reporter

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The DP World International League T20 concluded its first-of-its-kind Mascot Design Competition this week. The competition was held from 4 July to 21 September.

The competition captured the imagination of students across the UAE. With an overwhelming number of entries, the activation demonstrated the extraordinary creativity, enthusiasm, and energy that cricket inspires among young minds, making it a truly nationwide celebration of sport, culture, and community.

The grand mascot unveiling was held at the Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, Indian High School, Oud Metha. The winning student, Levin Veeroy Fernandes, was officially announced, and his imaginative design (Habibi and Habibti) was transformed into the official mascot of the DP World ILT20, now set to become the face of the league for seasons to come.

The event featured an exciting reveal ceremony, with the student’s design brought to life and presented in front of a vibrant audience, celebrating not only Levin’s creativity but also the remarkable participation of schools and students across the UAE.

The DP World ILT20 extends its heartfelt thanks to all participants whose contributions made this initiative a resounding success. Each entry brought unique ideas and perspectives, reinforcing the league’s commitment to inspiring young minds and celebrating the spirit of cricket.

DP World ILT20 CEO David White: “On behalf of team DP World International League T20, I want to thank all the participants for their efforts. For us, all of you are winners, we are delighted with the interest that the competition created across the UAE.

“The DP World ILT20 is all about UAE and the development of the sport amongst present and future generations of cricketers. Sport and cricket in particular has helped bring together a number of communities and nationalities across the UAE. Cricket has a four-decade long legacy in the country and with the continued growth of the league, the future of cricket not only in the UAE but across the Gulf region is bright and exciting.”

Indian High Schools Group CEO Shri Punit MK Vasu: “Our partnership with DP World ILT20 presents a remarkable platform for our learners to witness world-class cricket in Dubai while embracing the deeper lessons the sport imparts.

“At The Indian High Group of Schools, we uphold the belief that cricket’s enduring spirit fosters respect, discipline, leadership, resilience, teamwork, and composure under pressure, values that cultivate not only accomplished athletes, but also well-rounded, future-ready individuals prepared to lead with integrity, ethics and purpose in a global arena.”

The DP World International League T20 Season 4 will begin on Tuesday, 2 December – UAE National Day (Eid-Al-Etihad) with a blockbuster opening, the six-team, 34-match tournament will conclude with the final on Sunday, 4 January 2026.